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USBI, One Web Direct Bill rip-off! Virus! United Kingdom phone charges. Bedford New Hampshire
Our computer was attacked by a virus one night, and we left it on that night while trying to download a virus protection package. Soon after, we got a bill from One Web Direct Bill with about $180 in charges for calls made to an "entertainment" internet site in the UK, placed after we went to bed. Apparently, this is known as a "dialer virus."
It also stated that some portion of charges would be on our next telephone bill, in a separate bill from another company, which turned out to be USBI. We immediately wrote a letter to One Web giving notice of our claims under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and received a call shortly afterwards promising to rescind the charges.
We just got our SBC local telephone bill, and on a separate page, USBI charged us $73.63. SBC won't do anything but prevent the auto draft from paying this portion of the bill. We plan to write another notice letter, this time to USBI, which, we would guess is one and the same company scamming us, or at least part of the scheme.
S
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Paul
Anaheim,California,
U.S.A.
It's the modem dialer con again! It's time to pull the plug on these fools!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 03, 2004
Here's how the fraud works. While you search the internet, unknown to you, a program comes over the connection into your computer.
The program hijacks your modem, replacing the normal dialer. First, it mutes the speaker, so you can't hear when it dials out.
Next, the program dials out over the phone line, typically to 44-207-335-84(00), a number located in the United Kingdom.
However, no actual dialing needs to occur for the fraud to take place. For example, broadband cable users may not even have a phone line attached to dial out on. Yet, they still receive fraudulent bills.
In addition, some users turn their computers off when they are finished. Yet, the bill they receive claims the call was made when the user knew the computer was turned off.
So, once the program comes over the internet into your system, it sends your phone information to the fake billing network.
Therefore, no actual calls need to be made in order for you to be billed. You can have broadband or satellite internet, yet you will still be billed for a dialed call.
Your computer can be turned off, and you will still be billed!
When you complain to your local phone company, they do not understand the nature of the problem. In addition, they are obligated by law to pay the fraudulent company. This is known as third party billing.
Neither you, nor the phone company can stop this because, remember, no actual calls need to be made. Therefore, a block on a certain number will not help.
Typically, the local phone company is obligated to act as a collection agent for this fraudulent company. They have no choice but to insist on payment.
In addition, the fraudulent company itself will attempt to call you, insisting on payment. They have set up a fake collection company, collection express. They claim they will damage your credit.
If you do pay for this, you can be assured that the exact same thing will happen next month, and every month thereafter.
The individuals behind this all use fake names and post office boxes. Many of the toll free numbers used are made-up or never answered. They hide, because there is the very real possibility that an irate victim will simply come over and kill everyone involved in the scam in a crazy rage caused by the frustration.
They are counting on you to pay the phone bill. They are counting on the majority of people to give in and send payment.
Collectively, this fraud takes in several million every month in fake charges. It's a nationwide problem, effecting people at random. That's why, despite the risk of certain death or injury, the fraud continues. Big money!
Many federal agencies are aware of this situation. However, they are stymied by the dead ends and shell companies set up by the scammers. In fact, one of the individuals is bold enough to actually come here, pretending to "help" people his company has defrauded. He is strictly acting as damage control, keeping a lid on the situation so that no complaints are filed.
He, and his fake company, are counting on you to pay quietly, without raising a fuss to anyone. I suggest you do just the opposite!
Fax, file, or call a complaint to:
1.fbi-federal bureau of investigation
2-fcc-federal communications commission
3-ftc-federal trade commission
4-puc-public utilities commission
5-national fraud hotline
6-attorney general in your state
Feel free to use pages from this site as needed. In addition, I recommend you call your city newspaper and make them aware of the problem. This fraud relies on people being unaware and uninformed. When everyone fights instead of pays, the money will stop coming in to the fraud.
Currently, the fraud is using various names:
1-national one telecom
2-one web direct bill
3-collection express
4-usbi or esbi
5-tellsys
6-one call com
7-candid publishing
8-Intercosmos Media Group or directNIC
9-Money Management International
All of these names are in some way connected to this fraud. Many are involved in setting it up. Some help with the fake billing. Other names are the actual fraud companies themselves.
Unless you want these frauds to slowly bleed you dry, and eventually cause your telephone to be turned off, I suggest you scream loud and long to anyone and everyone who will listen! Remember, they are counting on your fear and ignorance in this situation. Instead, show them they're wrong. Dead wrong!
Good luck with this!
David
Bedford,New Hampshire,
U.S.A.
Do you have any evidence?
#3UPDATE Employee
Thu, September 30, 2004
Hello I have a representative of One Web Direct Bill. We provide billing services for 3rd party merchants. We also do our best to ensure that all merchants are in compliance with all pay per call regulations.
You claim that a "virus" caused these charges. Do you have any evidence to back this up? For example a copy of the dialer that allegedly dialed out without your permission?
Please let me know and we can move forward from there. We will be more than happy to give you a full credit in such cases, and we would take action against any merchant who is in violation of the pay per call rule.